News

Rewilding 2023

Posted on 10th January 202310th January 2023Posted in News, Rewilding Hyndburn's Green Spaces

The Rewilding project continues into 2023 with Project Officer Gareth Muir delivering a weekly Tuesday session on several sites in Hyndburn.

A work plan of season tasks will be undertaken by volunteers to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs, alongside planting for pollinators.

Tasks over the coming months will include: composting, mulching, seed sowing, pruning, fruit tree planting, chitting potatoes and repairing raised beds.

The last Tuesday of the month is spent at the PROSPECTS workshop in Oakhill Park. Woodwork projects will be made from recycled wood and include; wooden planters, bird/bug/bee boxes along with making plant labels with pyrography.

The Rewilding project also works with several schools in the borough enabling children to explore the natural world, create habitat for nature and grow their own food.

St John’s – Great Harwood and Lee Royd Nursery – Woodnook are involved in growing vegetables on their grounds and exploring other green spaces in the area.

Support has also been given to All Saints Church, Clayton-Le-Moors in the form of a Winter work day.

If you would like to get involved as a volunteer or involve your school/community group, please get in contact with Gareth – gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk

Thanks to The Windfall Fund, D’Olyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Lancashire County Council Food Grant Scheme for the funds to make the project possible!

Ash tree thinning on Peel Park and the Coppice LNR

Posted on 5th January 20235th January 2023Posted in HEAL project at Peel Park and the Coppice Local Nature Reserve, News

Ash trees are currently suffering from a disease known as “Ash Dieback.” The disease, caused by an invasive fungal infection, causes an Ash to lose its leaves and branches, leaving gnarly diamond-shaped lesions on its bark. Eventually the tree loses too many leaves and cannot capture enough sunlight, leaving it to starve and die.

The dead tree now has a higher chance of falling down. This means that infected trees alongside public pathways become hazards.

Because of this, selected Ash trees on Peel Park and the Coppice LNR will be felled to prevent future safety risks.

The red area shown on the map below has a high concentration of Ash trees with the majority suffering from the disease. This area will have restricted public access while contractors fell trees from 11am-4pm on the following days:

6th January 2023
13th January 2023
20th January 2023
27th January 2023

Timber infected with dieback is often unusable in woodworking but will be left on site to rot down and become deadwood. This will benefit a wide variety of invertebrates, fungi and plants. Past and future tree planting will replace the felled Ash.

If you would to get involved in heathland management at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR, then contact Robert at Robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or call 01254 230248.

Merry Christmas 2022 from Prospects Foundation!

Posted on 20th December 20225th January 2023Posted in HEAL project at Peel Park and the Coppice Local Nature Reserve, News

A big thank you to everyone and our volunteers from the team here at Prospects Foundation for an amazing year!

You’ve helped us spread environmental awareness and carry out conservation work throughout #Hyndburn!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, you’ve earned it!

See you in 2023!

St Christophers Eco Club Bird Feeders

Posted on 12th December 202212th December 2022Posted in Green Mentor, News

Baxenden St Johns woodland walk

Posted on 5th December 20225th December 2022Posted in Green Mentor, News

On the 8th of November Year 5’s from Baxenden St Johns primary school put their wellies on and joined our Green Mentor, Joel, for a woodland walk through the Woodnook Vale LNR

They discovered some of the local history about the old railway lines and Shoe Mill (including when they used to use sheep’s poo amongest other things to dye the cotton – yuck!). We also put our detective hats on and looked at ways of identifying trees without their leaves on!

Thank you to the staff and students from Baxenden St John’s C of E Primary School, you were great!

Heathland Management – Tree Thinning – Peel Park and the Coppice LNR

Posted on 21st November 202229th November 2022Posted in HEAL project at Peel Park and the Coppice Local Nature Reserve, News

Many people will wonder why we’re cutting down trees when there’s a huge drive to plant more trees. This is a valid thought and people are right to be concerned!

However, it’s important to recognise that not all habitats need trees and that, sometimes, too many trees can be a problem.

When it comes to the heathland at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR, it’s a matter of protecting a priority habitat in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.If left to its own devices then the heath would slowly be overtaken by trees and become a woodland, losing the valuable heathland habitat and the species it supports.

Again you might wonder, if this is the natural process, then why is Prospects intervening? Well “natural” is a loaded word nowadays; what is natural today and what was natural thousands of years ago are two different things. Heathland species evolved alongside large animals and herbivores that kept tree growth in check. The UK now lacks these vital species that managed the UK landscape and maintained habitat health.

It is now necessary for us to do the work of those ancient landscapers to help preserve a habitat that is historically, ecologically and culturally important to the UK. That is why we are thinning some of the self-seeded trees on the heathland at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR.

If you would to get involved in heathland management at Peel Park and the Coppice LNR, then contact Robert at Robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or call 01254 230248.

Seed Bomb Making at Bullough Park

Posted on 19th November 202229th March 2023Posted in Biodiversity, Green Spaces 'Natural Connections', News

On the 19th of November the Green Spaces Team were at Bullough park hosting a seed bomb making event. We had our Prospects marquee set up with tables containing mixing bowls of seeds and air-drying clay. The seeds we used were all native wildflower seeds which were; Corncockle, Cornflower, Corn Chamomile, Corn Marigold, and Common Poppy. The seeds were pressed into the clay which was then rolled into a ball, this would harden and then it could be thrown onto a bare patch of soil and would 'explode', spreading the seeds afar.

Participants made seed bombs for their own garden or area of their choice and were given the option to make some for us, and we're grateful that everyone did! The seed bombs made for us were stored to be used later in the creation of two wildflower meadows, one at Bullough park and another at Jubilee woodlands. These areas had been cut previously to remove nutrients from the soil which will promote the growth of the wildflower meadow. The wildflower meadows will promote pollinator, butterfly, and insect diversity which in turn will promote bird and bat diversity.

Prospects would like to thank everyone who came along to the event and assisted us in the creation of these vital habitats.

We would also like to thank our funders at GreenRecoveryChallengeFund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support in this endeavor.

Dry stone Walling – Hollins woods

Posted on 12th November 202231st October 2023Posted in Green Spaces 'Natural Connections', News

Between the 11-12th November the Green Spaces Team participated in a dry stone walling course led by Louise Kirkbridge, the course took place in Hollins woods on a section of drystone wall that had fell into disrepair. The wall was first dismantled down to the foundations and the stones laid out according to size, guide lines were created to ensure the original width of the wall was kept. Instructions and demonstrations were then given by Louise on how to safely lay stones to create a solid structure. After two days of walling the section we worked on had been fully re-erected, looked more aesthetically pleasing, and was a lot more stable.

We would like to thank Louise Kirkbridge for providing the excellent training programme, it was an amazing two days and we all learnt a lot about a valuable skill that is part of the cultural landscape.

We would also like to thank our funders at GreenRecoveryChallengeFund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for providing the means for Prospects to host events like these.

Introduction to Green Woodwork October half term 2022

Posted on 4th November 2022Posted in Huncoat East Woodland, Hyndburns Woodlands, News

PROSPECTS delivered an Introduction to Green Woodworking at Huncoat East woodland.

The course involved learning about green woodworking tools, using these tools to make a mallet and spatulas from Norwegian Maple and Hazel wood which was felled as part of PROSPECTS woodland management work programme.

Woody CIC Volunteer Mark was on hand to demonstrate pole lathing with participants having a go!

Thanks to The Heritage Lottery Fund for making this workshop possible through their generous funding of the Habitats & Heritage – Hyndburn’s Woodlands project.

Below is some feedback from the participants:

This has been a fantastic opportunity to learn about Green woodworking. It was so much fun. The staff were so welcoming and helpful. I would definately attend another woodworking event.

be good to see further projects added like small stools, maybe spoons and shrink pots ?

Love to do more construction projects using green woodworking techniques.

Crafting Club October Half Term 2022

Posted on 4th November 202229th November 2022Posted in Green Mentor, News, Rewilding Hyndburn's Green Spaces

PROSPECTS delivered an Autumn Themed Crafting Club at GrOwING WILD Community Alloment, Baxenden during the October half term.

Participants looked at Autumn tree and plant identification signs, made an autumnal bean stew and whittled some mushrooms from hazel and birch wood!

One participant gave the following feedback:

“It was a fantastic day. Everyone seemed to enjoy. My granddaughter and I certainly did. It was educational and good fun.”

Thinning of Larch (Larix) on Peel Park and the Coppice LNR

Posted on 14th October 20225th January 2023Posted in HEAL project at Peel Park and the Coppice Local Nature Reserve, News

Larch trees were planted in the new woodlands on Peel Park and the Coppice LNR by Lancashire County Council and Hyndburn Borough Council during the 1970s-90s. The tree is not a native British species as it was introduced 400 years ago for it’s fast-growing timber. The trees themselves are hybrids of two different species from mainland Europe and Asia, the European Larch (Larix decidua) and Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi).

Although they aren’t native, they are still an ecologically useful tree species. heir primary functions on the site were to reduce soil erosion on the slopes and to act as ‘nurse’ species for the oak trees that were also planted in the red and yellow areas shown on the map. The larches grow faster and so act as barriers which served to shelter the young, small, oak saplings. Now that the oak trees are big enough to support themselves, the larches surrounding them aren’t needed as much. The gaps left by the felled larches will leave room for the oak trees to grow larger and flourish. This is a positive management method known as ‘halo’ thinning.

To increase the presence of native, broad-leaved, tree species, there will be selective thinning of larches in two areas. This will start with the plantation of larches in the red area, before moving to the yellow area.

Both areas will be thinned over the course of 6 day-long sessions. Around 35 trees are expected to be removed from each area. This will cause little to no harm to wildlife as there will still be many larches left on-site and the subsequent growth of native oaks will improve the habitat value of the woodland.

Access to the rest of the site will still be available but visitors will not be allowed to use paths near the felling on working days. Signage and workers will be present to redirect visitors.

The thinning took place on the 21st and 28th October, and the 4th, 11th and 18th November 2022. There was a final session on the 25th November 2022.

The felled timber will go back into the site; the wood will be used for benches, leaky dams, and habitat boxes. Branches and smaller timber will be used to create brash bundles and habitat piles. Some tree-planting of smaller tree species like Holly and Hazel may take place to fill in any large gaps left by the felled larches.

If you would like to know more and/or get involved in conservation work this autumn and winter, then contact Robert at robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk.

Path and Bridge Construction – Civil Works on Pleck Meadow and Arden Hall

Posted on 14th October 202228th November 2022Posted in HEAL project at Peel Park and the Coppice Local Nature Reserve, News

Following the positive results of a consultation in June 2022, plans for a path from Arden Hall up to Pleck Meadow are now being finalized.

The path, indicated by the yellow route on the map, will have two entrances. One at Arden Hall and the other on Pinewood Drive. The rest of the path will follow the purple route which includes a bridge over Pleck Brook and will end at Pleck Meadow.

The purple route, “Option 2,” was preferred over the orange route, “Option 1,” in the consultation so the orange route will not be constructed.

Civil works are planned to start on the 24th October 2022 and will last for a few months.

As a result, access to the site from Arden Hall will be more limited till the works are over. Signage will be in place to redirect visitors. Please keep your dog on a lead near the affected areas. The entrances at Avenue Parade and Peel Park Avenue will be unaffected.

The construction will cause little to no disturbance to local wildlife. The path will increase accessibility to Peel Park and the Coppice LNR and will also benefit future conservation activities such as scything courses, survey training and species transects.

If you’d like to find out more or get involved in future conservation activities, then contact robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk

Cutting, Raking and Seed Sowing – Pocket Park

Posted on 14th October 202229th March 2023Posted in Biodiversity, Green Spaces 'Natural Connections', News

On the 14th October the Green Spaces Team collaborated with the SuperSlowWay project to assist in the creation of a wildflower meadow at the Pocket Park in Accrington. The Green Team used both traditional scything methods and strimmers to clear the area of vegetation, cuttings were then raked off the land to remove as many nutrients as possible. The area needed to be cleared first due to wildflowers requiring low nutrient soil in order to thrive. Once the area had been cleared we created bare patches of soil which yellow rattle seeds were then spread onto and then covered with a thin layer of soil to be ready for spring. A variety of bulb species were also planted by Prospects staff and children from The Hollins School using seed dibbers.

We would like to thank SuperSlowWay for having us as part of the project, it was fantastic to get involved with and we look forward to seeing the Pocket Parks progression.

As always, thank you to our funders for facilitating the work that we do.

Scything and Tidying – Woodnook Vale

Posted on 27th September 202229th March 2023Posted in Get Involved, Green Spaces 'Natural Connections', News

On the 27th September the Green Spaces volunteers were at Woodnook Vale, at the Nuttall street entrance, where the area adjacent to the path and the verges along the path were overgrown with brambles and nettles which reduced visibility and made access more difficult.

To remedy this the team used traditional scything techniques to cut the area back and rake off the cuttings. The team also did a litter pick before and during the cutting to remove any previously hidden rubbish. The edges along the wall were also snipped back to make it look more tidy.

Prospects would like to thank all our volunteers for their hard work.

We would also like to thank our funders at GreenRecoveryChallengeFund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support.

Scything Course – Milnshaw Park

Posted on 21st September 202231st October 2023Posted in Green Spaces 'Natural Connections', News

On the 21st September Prospects' staff and the Green Team Volunteers took part in a scything course delivered by Steve Tomlin.

During the course, participants were taught about all the different components of a scythe, how to hone the blade with a whetstone and how to correctly set them up for an efficient cut. Once the scythes were set up the participants headed to Milnshaw park for a demonstration on traditional scything techniques and then gave it a go themselves. The participants worked in rows scything the wildflower meadow to promote new growth while some of Prospects staff raked away the cuttings.

The course was fantastic and everyone learnt a lot about traditional scything skills that has benefited the green spaces around Hyndburn, where it has been applied in plenty.

Prospects would like to thank everyone who came along to the session, and to Steve Tomlin for delivering such a well structured course. We would also like to thank our funders at GreenRecoveryChallengeFund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for providing us with the necessary resources to organise this event.

Freshers Fair – Accrington and Rossendale

Posted on 13th September 202229th March 2023Posted in Green Spaces 'Natural Connections', News, Schools and Community Conservation

On the 13^th September Prospects’ Green Spaces Team and the Peel Park Officer attended the Accrington and Rossendale College’s Freshers Fair where we held a stall. Our stall aimed to inform future college students about the various work done by Prospects and to gauge their interest in the environmental sector. We are pleased to report that 40 prospective students visited our stall and expressed an interest in conservation!

Our stall contained all the information about activities, volunteering, and the work done by prospects needed to inspire young people who are interested in the environmental sector. We also created a Climate Pledge Tree using material from our sites, here students could write their eco-pledge onto ‘tree cookies’ and hang them from the tree. The pledge tree stayed at the college in the reception to remind students of their commitments.

It was a great day and it was heartening to see so many students taking a keen interest in their local environment

We would like to thank Accrington and Rossendale College for hosting us and the students who visited our stall.

As always, thank you to our funders at GreenRecoveryChallengeFund and National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this all possible.

Ash Dieback Works this Winter

Posted on 9th September 2022Posted in Hyndburns Woodlands, News

PROSPECTS and our friends at Woody Hyndburn CIC will be undertaking Ash tree felling works over the winter months.

Ash Dieback is a particular problem in the borough, many trees are affected and can become dangerous as the disease progresses and the trees become weaker.

As part of PROSPECTS management strategy across the Hyndburn’s Woodlands sites staff and Volunteers will be felling affected trees to ensure the safety of those who enjoy the woods. As always the top priority of Lancashire County Council is the safety of the public with preventative felling appearing to be the most effective means of addressing the issue.

Ash Dieback surveys have been undertaken to identify and mark the trees which will be felled. The resultant timber and brash will be processed on site to increase the percentage of dead wood on site, providing habitat for invertebrates, fungi and everything else! The Survey maps can be found on the individual woodland sites.

As part of PROSPECTS on going environmental education efforts, John Haddon from Lancashire Wildlife Trust delivered a day of training for PROSPECTS staff and volunteers outlining the Trust’s strategy for dealing with the issue.

Natural regeneration of native tree species will take priority over planting, with Ash being effective at self seeding with Ash Dieback resistant individuals hopefully regenerating those woodlands which will be affected.

More information about Ash Dieback can be found on the following websites:

Woodland Trust:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/tree-pests-and-diseases/key-tree-pests-and-diseases/ash-dieback/

Lancashire County Council

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/strategies-policies-plans/environmental/ash-die-back/

Government Website:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-ash-dieback-in-england

Hyndburn’s Woodland Update

Posted on 9th September 2022Posted in News

Woodland Volunteers have been busy throughout the Summer months working across the 8 Lancashire County Council woodland sites, which PROSPECTS manages on the Council’s behalf.

The majority of the work has been Balsam pulling, but there has also been non-native tree thinning, litter picking and meadow management using scythes!

As the nights draw in and the days get colder and wet the Woodland Volunteers will be undertaking winter task in the woods. This will include felling Ash Dieback effected trees, cutting back greenery encroaching on pathways, litter picking, coppicing and hedge laying.

Hyndburn’s Woodlands will also be delivering an Introduction to Green Woodwork day, spoon carving day and working with the Green Team to deliver seasonal tree identification walks.

Check our online events page or sign up to our emailing list to receive updates and a monthly ‘What’s On’ e-Newsletter.

Rewilding Update

Posted on 9th September 2022Posted in News

The Rewilding project has been busy growing vegetable, fruit and herbs across the four community sites; Growing Wild Community Allotment, Miller Fold Allotment 6a, Oakhill Park Incredible Edible Garden and Woodnook Community Garden.

Produce was used for Crafting Club 2022 with vegetables from the site being used to make vegetarian and gluten free campfire cooked dishes!

Apples were used for fruit juice pressing and soft fruit including raspberries, blackberries and currants being used to make jam and fruit leather!

Some of the produce has been frozen with a Jam and Chutney making activity to be arranged for the cold winter months, so keeping checking the Events page for more details or sign up to the emailing list to receive updates.

Crafting Club Summer 2022

Posted on 2nd September 202219th September 2022Posted in News

Crafting Club Summer 2022 was a great success with over 30 participants taking part in a variety of bushcraft themed activities!

Activities included; Campfire Cooking, whittling, natural cordage, natural dyes, fruit juice pressing, wild food and much more!

PROSPECTS is forever grateful to the Ashden Trust for the funding, which made Crafting Club Summer 2022 happen. For more information about the Ashden Trust click HERE

Look out for further bushcraft activities in the future, below is feedback from some of the participants!

Fantastic experience for all the family. Thank you so much for the opportunity to take part in such a great community session.

The whole month was amazing and so well organised. The children and myself learnt about tree ID, outdoor cooking, whittling, natural dying and much much more. They also became more confident with foraging too. We didn’t want it to end.

I would like to thank Gareth and his team, for making my son and me, feel so welcome at the Crafting club. It was full of positive energy and so much fun; making it the perfect environment to learn something new.

Thanks for running these sessions, we always learn something new.

Really well organised events with knowledgeable, patient, helpful people. Thank you

The sessions was very good. My son was engaged and was learning whilst having fun.

This and other prospects courses are extremely well run. We have been to a few and find them engaging and the staff are inviting, interesting and make it a joy to be there. This activity in particular helped whole families become involved and had a variety of activities to get stuck into so that everyone had something that they were interested in.

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